Patent GB-190812247-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Dirigible Balloon.
Inventor: CLEMENT ADOLPHE
Filed: 1908-06-05
Granted: 1909-06-07
Abstract: 12,247. Clement, A. June 11, 1907, [date applied for under Section 91 of Patents &c. Act, 1907]. Aerial machines without aerostats; aerostats; cars; propelling; steering.-An aerostat for a dirigible airship is formed in the shape of a lens, the centre of which is nearer to the front edge than the rear. The aerostat comprises an upper and lower cap connected together at the periphery. The form of the aerostat is obtained by dividing the diameter A B of the circle A C B into two parts such that O B is twice the length of 0 A. Each part is divided into the same number of parts, say 10, and circles are drawn with the parts a<1> b<1>, a<2> b<2>, &c. as diameters. These circles are pro jections on the central horizontal plane of the aerostat of metallic rings forming the bracings of each cap. The distances at which these rings are placed above and below the central plane of the aerostat are obtained by drawing a segment O<1> A of a circle tangent to the horizontal at the point O<1>, the height of which above the equatorial plane is one-twelfth of the length of the diameter A B, and projecting the points a', a<2>, &c. on to the segment. The rings of each cap are connected together by curved truss rods e c, e<1> c<1>, &c. ending at the outer and inner rings, while intermediate truss rods d f, d<1> f<1>, &c. end on the outer ring and the ring a<6> b<6>. The corresponding rings in the upper and lower caps are connected by vertical rods forming a cylindrical trussing, and the whole is covered with fabric. The centre of the lens is formed as an open-ended tube D connected by conical ends to the first rings a<1> b<1> in the caps. The vertical cylindrical trussings at the circles a<3> b<3>, a<7> b', and a<9> b<9> are covered with fabric to divide the interior of the acrostat into four annular balloons E, E', E<2>, E<3>. The three outer balloons are divided by eight radial partitions, while the inner balloon E is divided into four compartments. Between the balloons and the caps are spaces which can be filled with air at a low pressure. The covering may comprise fabric reinforced with metallic rings, the ends of which are connected by bayonet-joints. The car sides, which are formed of metallic rings connected by uprights and stayed by wires, form a continuation of one of the vertical cylindrical frames of the aerostat. The car bottom is formed of a number of metallic rings connected together. Fins L, Fig. 4, are fixed to the aerostat, and horizontal and vertical rudders are provided. The Specification in the original form, as published under Section 91 (3) (a), comprises also the following. The three inner balloons are connected. together by a tube, and the balloon E<3> is deflated separately, so that an upper valve and a lower valve serve for all the balloons. Rudders K are placed at the sides of the aerostat, and these with the horizontal rudder P are connected to an adjustable pendulum, which operates the rudders K in opposite directions for transverse equilibrium and the rudder P for longitudinal equilibrium. The point of attachment of the rear rudder to the rod of the pendulum can be adjusted by means of a spring catch or otherwise to vary the normal inclination of the rudder. To maintain the equilibrium of the aerostat when floating freely, weights V, V<1>, V<2>, V<3>, Fig. 11, can be suspended by two endless cords, passing over pulleys X, X<1>, X<2>, X<3> and connected to the pendulum F. The propellers w, Fig. 12, are arranged on each side of the car, and are driven in opposite directions by the bevel-gear shown, or by separate motors. This subject-matter does not appear in the Complete Specification as accepted.